This is the 11th in a series of position-by-position analyses looking at the best NFL unrestricted free agents set to become available Tuesday.

For teams that operate a 4-3 defense, they are looking for a combination of a strong tackler and an experienced leader to make calls in the middle of the field. Free agency is a good place to get such a linebacker, as veterans offer the necessary savvy rookies just can’t match.

The Browns were smart not to let D’Qwell Jackson get to the open market, re-signing him to a worthy five-year, $42.5 million contract. There are still several starting inside linebackers available, including two from the NFC’s two wild-card teams in 2011.

The top options

1. Stephen Tulloch, Lions. His tackles were down from his last year in Tennessee, but he remained a very active presence during his first year in Detroit, with career highs in sacks (three) and interceptions (two) to go with 111 stops. Tulloch (5-11, 240) is 27, right in his prime. He’ll be tough for the Lions to keep, especially with the Eagles interested.

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2. Curtis Lofton, Falcons. Lofton has been an integral part of the Falcons' defense since being drafted in 2008, and at 25, he’s coming of his best season yet. Atlanta would like to keep him, but not if that means a price tag of $9 million per year. He’s an option for Detroit if Tulloch leaves.

3. Dan Connor, Panthers. Injuries depleted Carolina on the second level last season, and Connor benefited from the chance to start 11 games. Connor is well-built (6-2, 231) and soon will become a starter elsewhere. If the Eagles can’t get Tulloch, he is a fine alternative.

4. David Hawthorne, Seahawks. Hawthorne, 26, has gotten around the field making plays everywhere in the three years he has been a starter, but Seattle is looking to get stronger and faster at the position. He’ll help someone else get up to speed there.

5. London Fletcher, Redskins. It’s hard to imagine Fletcher out of a Redskins uniform after seeing how much he has meant as the heart of their defense. He keeps plugging away even though he’ll turn 37 in May and has quietly put together a career that has Hall of Fame potential. The team wants to keep him but can’t assume he won’t depart to start a few more years elsewhere.

6. Jameel McClain, Ravens. He has held his own and steadily improved playing next to Ray Lewis in Baltimore’s defense. McClain was very productive in that role (84 tackles, sack, interception) last season, and at 26, he should draw plenty of interest from other 3-4 teams.

7. Joe Mays, Broncos. Mays didn’t play much on defense during his first three seasons with Philadelphia and then Denver but found his niche a solid run stopper playing the middle for John Fox.

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8. Chase Blackburn, Giants. He was a blue-collar fill-in for Big Blue with high-effort play that eventually paid off with that big play in the Super Bowl—an interception of Tom Brady. New York likely still sees him as a backup, but another team should consider taking a flier on him.